By Doug Miller
Kelly did not receive the backing of the Long Beach Democratic Club, and announced after last month's Nassau County Democratic Convention that he would try to get on the ticket via a primary election. At the convention, the club gave its support to fellow incumbent Leonard Remo, along with Denise Tangney and Robert Tepper.
But Kelly said that the challenge of serving the city, maintaining a full-time law practice and pounding the pavement for the 500 signatures he needed to get on the ballot - without any help from the party - was more than he was willing to put his family through.
"It has been a privilege to serve," Kelly wrote in his letter. "As a member of the Long Beach City Council I have learned a great deal and I have met many wonderful people. The city has made great progress over the past 20 years and still has great potential to be an example to other small cities, as a well-managed, prosperous city that serves the needs of a diverse community."
Kelly did not rule out a future run for office, but said as of now he has no further political ambitions. "There is no plan here," he said.
Kelly was first elected to a two-year term in 1999, and re-elected in 2001 to a four-year seat with the city's largest vote total. But he will likely be remembered for the 2003 election, in which he was not a candidate but, in a true October Surprise, crossed over to endorse the Republican coalition candidates Jim Hennessy, Thomas Sofield Jr. and Mona Goodman. The three prevailed in a very tight race over Democrats Joel Crystal, Scott Nigro and Gina Guma, and the GOP took over the city for the first time in generations.
The fallout continues to this day, with many members of the city's Democratic committee blaming Kelly for that election-day loss and the party's subsequent fall from power. Several of the committee members were City Hall employees whose services were no longer deemed necessary by the new administration, and Kelly was unable in two years to repair the breach.
Of course, the most immediate damage was to his fellow Democrats. Crystal was the first City Council president in memory to lose an election, finishing fewer than 100 votes short of Goodman and third place. He said he doesn't necessarily resent Kelly the way other Democrats do.
"He's a very interesting individual, he made interesting choices and changed positions several times, like a Shakespearean character," said Crystal, a retired Long Beach High School teacher.
Which one?
"Iago, maybe. I always let him do his own thing. And he's done it again, apparently."
If Kelly expected to be rewarded by the coalition for his support, it didn't happen, and the confrontations began almost immediately. Kelly tried to block Hennessy's election as council president, nominating Sofield, but was rebuffed.
Reunited by a common enemy, Kelly and Remo have dissented on most major policy initiatives, budgets and appointments under this administration, and Kelly's was the only dissenting vote on the Superblock redevelopment.
"In the six years he has served, of which I've been there for four, I believe he has consistently added to the dialogue and direction of our city," Remo said. "Denis's foremost concern has always been working toward the best direction of the city, and I wish him the best."
Sensing that he lacked the numbers on the Long Beach Democratic committee to pursue his renomination, Kelly flirted last winter with the idea of accepting Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi's invitation to run against Denise Ford for her seat in the county Legislature. He eventually declined, and the party is backing Long Beach attorney Robert Solomon in a primary bid against Long Beach Library Trustee Warren Vegh.
Kelly has said that his defection will be remembered for bringing reform to a stagnant organization, and for helping to topple Eugene Cammarato from his 10-year grip on the party's reins. Tuesday night, at least, Cammarato was conciliatory. "It's a mixed-emotions thing," he said. "Anybody I've ever supported, I never looked for the best politician, but for who I thought would be the best for the city, and that they had something inside that would add to the city. I always thought he would be good for the community."
On Tuesday, Kelly said he would be sad to let this part of his life go, and that he had been looking forward to the primary race. While he had dropped his challenge, he did not promise the Democrats his support. "I want to hear what these three have to say," he said. "All the policy problems I have with Hennessy - at least the guy takes a stand, and more than a lot of other people do. If the Democrats come out wishy-washy, then what's the point?"
The Republicans have nominated incumbent Goodman, along with Valerie Buscemi and Raymond Ellmer.
Kelly said Tuesday that he made his decision over the course of the last several weeks, and was not influenced by Denise Tangney's situation. Tangney was severely injured in the Meadowbrook Parkway collision with an alleged drunk driver that claimed the life of her 7-year-old granddaughter, Katie Flynn. At a Democratic fund-raiser for her Monday night, it was announced that she would stay in the race.
Kelly said that while his timing was unfortunate, it corresponded to the petition filing deadline, which was this week.
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